Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson cautioned that his team isn't on the verge of making a trade. "We're waiting for the right deals," Howson said. "We're getting closer. But we're not there yet." Nash isn't the only Blue Jackets player that's on the trading block, but he's definitely the most interesting one. He's a superb sniper who has been forced to play his entire NHL career without that much talent around him. At the same time, his $7,800,000 annual cap hit is the fifth largest in the league and that, combined with what the Blue Jackets will likely demand in return for him, hurts his appeal. Still, with the trade deadline fast approaching, all eyes will be on Columbus and Nash.

Rick Nash scored a goal in the Blue Jackets 3-2 overtime loss to the Rangers Sunday. Nash picked a great time to score a goal as he tied the game late in the third period on a day when rumors continued to swirl about a potential trade out of Columbus. Derick Brassard also scored a goal in the losing effort.

Rick Nash deflected questions about trade rumors as he prepares for the Columbus Blue Jackets' game against the New York Rangers tonight. Nash must have expected some questions on the subject since he's at Madison Squared Garden. We could find out if he'll be many more at MSG soon enough - unless the Blue Jackets put off a trade until the off-season or decide to keep him, of course.

The Philadelphia Flyers are reportedly listening to the Columbus Blue Jackets on the possibility of a trade involving Rick Nash. There's a lot of arguments against the Philadelphia Flyers going after Rick Nash, one of them being that it might lead to cap complications down the road. After all, Philadelphia already has nine players that are scheduled to come with a cap hit of $4 million or above next season and then you'd have to add Nash's $7,800,000 annual cap hit on top of that. Another argument against is that a scoring winger isn't among Philadelphia's bigger needs. GMs Scott Howson and Paul Holmgren are expected to meet, but Nash might not be the only or even top item on their agenda.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are being touted as high-profile sellers for the NHL trade deadline on Feb. 27 and Rick Nash is top player rumored to be available. The Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks are believed to be on the talented winger's list of possible destinations. However, the return that Columbus is seeking will likely be different from team to team. The Jackets could also decide to retain Nash for the remainder of the year and deal him during the off-season. In addition to Nash, Jeff Carter, Antoine Vermette and Sammy Pahlsson are reportedly on the trading block, while offers are also coming in for R.J. Umberger, Derick Brassard and Curtis Sanford. GM Scott Howson looks like he will be very busy, working the phones, in the coming weeks.

The New York Rangers have had preliminary talks with Columbus regarding the availability of Rick Nash. While there is dialogue between the clubs, a source is quoted as saying that the chances of a deal taking place prior to the Feb. 27 trade deadline is a "long shot." Nash, who has a no-trade clause, is in the second year of deal that runs through 2017-18 - a deal that carries a $7.8-million cap hit. The Rangers have the space.

RDS is reporting that the Columbus Blue Jackets have placed Rick Nash on the block. Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson wouldn't comment on the story, which isn't too surprising. This comes just over a week after Sportsnet's John Shannon reportedly talked to friends of Nash, who said that the winger wasn't happy with the direction of the Columbus franchise. Shannon's sources also said that Nash would entertain trade offers, but he doesn't want to demand a trade. Perhaps Columbus is testing the waters because Nash is unhappy. Another possibility is that the Blue Jackets are just seeing what they could get for Nash. When your franchise is stuck in the mud like the Blue Jackets is, it's worth exploring all possibilities.

According to Sportsnet's John Shannon, you shouldn't dismiss the possibility that Rick Nash will be traded. Shannon said he's talked to friends of Nash, who claim that the star winger is unhappy with the direction of the Blue Jackets franchise. That's not surprising seeing as, despite the optimism surrounding the team going into the season, they're dead last in the NHL. At this point, according to Shannon's sources, Nash would entertain trade offers, but he doesn't want to demand a trade. Nash has a no-movement clause, but he said back in January that he'd be willing to waive it. Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson doesn't want to comment on trade rumors, but Nash is the face of their franchise, so we can bet that Howson will be very reluctant to move him. That doesn't mean it's impossible for Nash to be traded, but a team would have to be willing to make considerable sacrifices to get him.

Rick Nash had just six points in 12 games in January. Nash also has just one goal in his last five game and the Blue Jackets as a team have only five goals in that span. There's still two-plus months left in Columbus' season, but the Blue Jackets already have nothing left to play for. Although it's possible Columbus will trade a major cornerstone of the franchise like Nash, it's far more likely that Nash will stay while some of the supporting cast is dealt. With that in mind, we aren't anticipating big things from Nash in the final months of the season.

Rick Nash scored the Blue Jackets' lone goal in a 4-1 loss against the Nashville Predators Monday night. It's been a rough season for the Blue Jackets' best player who now has 17 goals in 48 games on the year. The captain is projected for his first sub-60-point campaign since 2006-07 in another lost season in Columbus.